The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, were on a 15,000-mile, 45-day tour along the seaway visiting all Canadian provinces, four of the Great Lakes and making a 14-hour stop in Chicago.
This was their only American stop and was the first visit of a reigning British monarch to the Windy City. The royal couple’s hectic visit took them to some of the city’s most popular attractions. It wouldn’t be revealed until later that the queen was pregnant with her third child, Prince Andrew.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II rides in a car with Gov. William Stratton and Mayor Richard J. Daley on July 6, 1959, in Chicago.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. A limousine carrying Queen Elizabeth II passes beneath a huge British flag hanging above State Street while en route to the Drake Hotel in Chicago on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II stands with Gov. William Stratton and Mayor Richard J. Daley as Capt. John Myers presents an honor guard to the visiting monarch July 6, 1959, in Chicago.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II greets Chancellor Lawrence Kimpton of the University of Chicago during the British monarch’s visit to Chicago on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II’s motorcade travels through Chicago on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit Chicago on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II, from left, Prince Philip and Chicago’s first lady Eleanor “Sis” Daley greet visitors at a reception at the Drake Hotel on July 7, 1959.
Chicago American. Queen Elizabeth II’s motorcade travels down Michigan Avenue on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II, in Chicago for a whirlwind visit July 6, 1959, sits with Mayor Richard J. Daley in a special cart while touring the International Trade Fair at Navy Pier.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Queen Elizabeth II sits between Mayor Richard J. Daley, left, and Prince Philip as they ride in a cart at Navy Pier while touring the Chicago International Trade Fair on July 6, 1959.
Cy Wolf / Chicago Tribune. Flag-waving crowds wait to get a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II outside the Museum of Science and Industry on July 6, 1959.
Chicago Tribune historical photo. Guests toast Queen Elizabeth II during a dinner at the grand ballroom in Chicago’s Hilton Hotel on July 6, 1959. The queen also offered a toast extending greetings to President Dwight Eisenhower.
